VP of Engineering

Join the California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) team, a farmer-owned cooperative dedicated to sustainably producing the highest quality dairy products while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. CDI products are delivered locally and around the world.

Our Visalia corporate office serves as the central hub for the CDI enterprise, driving strategic decision-making, innovation, overall business support, and growth across our diverse portfolio of dairy products and brands.

We encourage you to be part of our team that's shaping the future of dairy, right from the heart of California!

We offer a generous total rewards package that includes:

• Annual Salary Range - $148,554 - $225,000
• Family medical/dental/vision
• Generous company contributions to 401k
• Relocation Assistance
• 11 Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Tuition reimbursement

Job Summary

The Vice President of Engineering is responsible for providing overall leadership, strategy, planning and vision to engineering and maintenance staffs to ensure the company has proper controls, administrative and reporting procedures and communication systems in place to effectively handle member’s milk, grow the organization, and to ensure financial strength and operating efficiency. Contributes to the successful operation of California Dairies Inc. and regularly reports on the organization’s progress to Sr. VP of Operations. As a member of the Management Team, the Vice President of Engineering participates in the development of CDI’s priorities and objectives and conveys it to his or her direct reports.

Essential Functions

• Manage existing Engineering team that oversees facilities.
• Participate in strategic and operational governance processes of the business organization as a member of the management staff.
• Establish maintenance/engineering policies in areas of lean manufacturing techniques, material usage, and performance measures, results, and rewards.
• Develop and manage annual capital budget with senior staff.
• Design and execute capital projects with support of senior staff.
• Control and negotiate with contractors, real estate professionals, city and county government entities, and other outside parties.
• Develop business case justifications and business specific development plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct reports include 2 engineering managers, 3 Senior Project Engineers, and 2 Project Engineers.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must work in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety procedures including the use of safety equipment.
• Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Must have the ability to troubleshoot problems and be persistent until a solution is found.
• Must be willing to ask for assistance when the process, goals or objectives are unclear.

Education and/or Experience

• Degree in Mechanical/Engineering or equivalent combination of degree and experience required.
• 10+ years progressively responsible experience with at least 5 years in management; excellent management, negotiating and organizational skills; demonstrated ability to lead a team and achieve results; experience in budgeting, project management, supervision of Engineering, Maintenance, and Environmental teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Basic computational skills required.
• Simple math reasoning required.
• Minimum five years’ experience overseeing multi-site dairy plant maintenance and engineering processes involving electronics, instrumentation, refrigeration, electrical, steam generation, and general mechanical.
• 3 to 5 years dairy experience in the manufacturing of milk powders and butter required.

Language Skills

A well-modulated tonal volume is required with excellent diction skills needed.

Reasoning Ability

Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions given in written, oral, or diagram form. Must have the ability to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess or be able to acquire a California Driver’s License.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: The VP of Engineering during the course of an 8-hour workday will do all three. They will walk several hundred feet over uneven surfaces checking areas as needed.
• Lifting/Carrying: The VP of Engineering lifts up to 60 pounds on an infrequent basis.
• Pushing/Pulling: Occasional pushing/pulling are done.
• Bending/Stooping: Both done regularly during the course of a workday.
• Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Squatting, kneeling and crawling done occasionally.
• Twisting/Turning: Twisting and kneeling are done while doing regular duties.
• Climbing/Balancing: Some vertical ladder climbing required. Balancing on ladders and machinery sometimes is required if assistance is needed in troubleshooting or mechanical issues.
• Reaching: Frequently reaching from floor level to shoulder level done during 8-hour workday.
• Grasping/Manipulating: Frequent use of hands and fingers while using hand tools and positioning of machine parts.

Equipment

The VP of Engineering should have general knowledge of pumps, pneumatic values, AC drives, motor starters, separators, instrumentation, welding, grinding, butter equipment, fans, high-pressure pumps, electrical troubleshooting, powder packaging equipment, PLC controls, gearboxes, pneumatic system, boilers, ammonia compressors, ammonia system, glycol system, cooling towers, air compressors, pasteurizers. Will be required to utilize a computer and business related software. Will be required to drive between locations of responsibility.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Employee will be subject to temperatures from 34 to above 100 degrees. An employee may be exposed to the following: ammonia, acids, caustics, chlorines, paints, particles, oils and lubricants, steam, pneumatics, fumes and hazardous gases, sealing compounds.

ADA/FEHA

The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.

EEO

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.